Democracy is weakening across Central and Eastern Europe amid the rise of Chinese and Russian influence, according to a new watchdog report. It also found that Hungary no longer qualifies as a democracy — and Poland is headed in the same direction.
Mike Smeltzer, a Freedom House research analyst, points out that the nonprofit receives funding from many sources, including the U.S. government.
"The Hungarian government would rather try to shoot the messenger than deal with the substantive points raised in our reports, which exhaustively document a serious decline in freedom and democratic practice in the country," Smeltzer told NPR."In our report, Hungary is the only country in the EU that's not a democracy."
A man protests the declaration of a state of emergency last week in Belgrade with a banner showing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, left, and China's President Xi Jinping. The banner reads,"Serbs and Chinese Brothers Forever."A man protests the declaration of a state of emergency last week in Belgrade with a banner showing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, left, and China's President Xi Jinping. The banner reads,"Serbs and Chinese Brothers Forever.
In the Balkans, Serbia and Montenegro — once part of Yugoslavia — have also seen democratic declines after"years of increasing state capture, abuse of power, and strongman tactics," according to the report. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović"have tipped those countries over the edge."
Stung by years of contentious relations with the EU, both countries have grown closer to Beijing and Moscow."The Russian and Chinese governments are moving in with money and propaganda, trying to win hearts and minds," Smeltzer says."And yes, it's in large part due to the absence of the EU and U.S. But, that does not mean that Balkan politicians are not making use of the situation and trying to turn it to their own advantage.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
15 children in N.Y.C. identified with rare COVID-linked condition. More cases likely out there.Other cases have been reported across Europe and along the eastern part of the U.S.
Read more »
Bond-buying risks could outweigh rewards for emerging central banksEmerging market central banks are launching asset purchase programmes to help mitigate the economic impact of coronavirus, a fresh test of unconventional policy tools that were only adopted by developed economies a decade ago.
Read more »
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry tell all in upcoming bombshell book ‘Finding Freedom’: reportMeghan Markle And Prince Harry Tell All in Upcoming Bombshell Book ‘Finding Freedom': Report (via Fox411)
Read more »
We are Republicans and Democrats. Vote by mail is essential to protect voters—and democracy itself | OpinionVoters should not have to choose between their health and participating in democracy.
Read more »